“The university process for paying workers, particularly student workers, changed unbeknownst to me,” she says. “I'm embarrassed about it and I deeply regret it. I understand the hardship especially in this fiscal climate.”

While the university has spent months trying to get the paperwork right, the aquatic center has reduced its hours because it only has one paid employee now.

City Council chair Phil Mendelson learned of the situation from ABC7’s 7 On Your Side after the UDC failed to respond to inquiries from another councilmember's office.

He released the following statement:

This is the first I have heard of this problem. Unfortunately, this is embarrassing to the University; there should never be an incident where employees – let alone lifeguards – are left unpaid. I’m sure your attention to this will force a resolution, and I will ask University officials about this at an upcoming oversight hearing.

UDC says the checks are being cut today.

“This is a mistake, we fully admit it, we take responsibility for it, we are doing everything we possibly can to make these individuals whole and this never happens again,” said Alan Etter, UDC vice president of University Relations.